Spray-specs: a &#34;pinch off&#34; lens protection system, its method of attachment and removal, for safety glasses

ABSTRACT

A multi layered lens protection system applied to protective eyewear is disclosed. Wherein safety glasses have been made receptive to a plurality of transparent lens protectors by means of two extruding posts located on the front of the main lens and the dimensionally corresponding, specifically designed notches located on the protector. As the outermost protector becomes soiled, a simple pinching motion exerted upon the entire protector, releases it from the posts, revealing another clean protector and thereby restoring a clear view. Whereby the design of the lens protectors, which eliminates the presences of tabs or extensions, facilitates and dictates this pinching motion and in turn provides a most precise and efficient manner of grasping each outermost or soiled protector in order to achieve rapid vision restoration and therefore continuous eye protection.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTERPROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This present invention relates to protective eyewear in the form of spectacles or glasses (having temples), which are readily receptive to multiple layers of clear transparent lens protectors, and more particularly, pertains to a method by which said lens protectors are held in place atop the main lens and subsequently removed.

Within many industries, such as the painting, drywall, and pest control, for example, workers are constantly subjected to constant fall-out or bounce-back of light weight particle of materials (ie. over-spray); or may just simply be down wind. Whether spraying paint, drywall texture or chemicals there is not only a need to protect the eyes, but furthermore the need to do so in a manner that allows for convenient, rapid vision restoration.

Having been a painting contractor myself, I have concluded that the industry has been resigned to suffer as a whole, in that there is inadequate eye protection available. Ordinary safety glasses quickly become covered in the paint or chemical being used, thereby decreasing vision. Any attempt to clean the main lens for continuous use is not only timely but often proves futile, in that the paint or chemical can quickly dry to or melt the main lens. Traditional protective eyewear is abandoned. Many workers are resigned to using no eye protection when doing such jobs, often resorting to the minimal protection of a billed cap.

Eye protection devices receptive to or containing multiple layer systems of protectors have been granted patents for the need to address many similar scenarios. Such as moto-sport racing or paint ball, as well as painting. As disclosed in such patents as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,455,689, 4,716,601 and 5,592,698, these tear off lens (protection) systems incorporate the use of or on a goggle or helmet face shield. As well as discuss their attempts to rectify previous methods of attaching and releasing a plurality of transparent protectors, and the apparatus used to do so. However, inherent in these and many other prior works related to this invention is the presence of a tab or pulling device on the edge of each protector in order to facilitate its release. Despite the different means by which the protectors are held in place atop the main lens; whether it being a extruding post, or an adhesive (U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,045), and despite any differing attempts in positioning these tabs in prior art, an inherent drawback in these type of protectors [with tabs] is ones ability [while performing a task,] to simply grasp each successive tab in order to pull off the outermost transparent protector in a rapid, efficient, and precise manner.

This rationally used method of protector removal, consisting of a pulling or tearing motion, requires an outwardly (away from head) force being applied to the goggle and thereby necessitates the need for a strap or band to hold the goggles in place on the user's head; so as not to pull off the entire goggle, or the wearing of a large cumbersome helmet. Both are not very conducive to a hobby or working environment. Headbands or elastic straps can be very uncomfortable, as well as having to wear a helmet while working in order to achieve this means of vision restoration; and also regarded as a drawback in these previous works.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,065 adapted a lens protection system to glasses or spectacles, but have done so in a manner that requires the presence of “pulling” tabs in order to remove a protector; again thereby necessitating the presence of a head band or strap, and inherently the problematic, precise grasping of the tabs themselves. This invention clearly discusses and attempts to address the need to improve the overall efficiency of grasping an individual tab of the outermost protector.

Yet, within other versions of vision clearing devices, as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,528,701 and 5,203,035, rather than a stack of protectors which are to be individually torn away or off, they utilize a long continuous thin layer of film that is to be scrolled across the main lens,—from its holding to its receiving spool or magazine,—as needed to restore a clear view; by manual yet slightly differing mechanical means. Regardless, not only do the presence of receiving or holding spools or magazines on the side of the device negate much peripheral vision, but an added drawback to both is the large, cumbersome, front heavy, nature of these versions making them awkward to use in a construction or painter's environment or in general, and thusly requiring a(n elastic) strap or band to hold on users head. Another drawback found in the latter (U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,035), despite its attempt to house the spools in a die cut paper card, becomes the accumulation of material or debris (paint for example) that builds up on the spooling mechanism; increasingly debilitating its ability to function, or scroll smoothly at all.

Accordingly, there is a need for a more efficient, reliable, lightweight and comfortable version of protective eyewear, that is not only receptive to multiple layers of lens protectors but whose design and make-up is more conducive to consistent performance in the construction or trade industries as well; specifically painting. As well as a need for a method of protector removal or vision restoration that does not require the presence of any tabs or pulling devices on the protectors, nor the need for any adhesives or any added moveable structures or spooling mechanisms that can all therefore dictate the need for a head band or strap (to be worn in order to hold the protective device on the user's head, due to the inherent outwardly force needed to remove a transparent lens protector utilizing the pulling or tearing of said tab, or as a result of the mere presence and added weight of any spooling mechanisms); nor for use upon a goggle or helmet. But rather, one in which the make-up and method of lens protector removal provides an overall improvement to the concept of vision restoration applied to safety glasses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention comprises an improvement to the method by which a multi layered lens protection system is adapted to protective eyewear as a means by which one can maintain or restore clear vision as well as overall eye protection in such tasks as spraying paint or chemicals. Doing so by utilizing lightweight, stylish safety spectacles that are receptive to a plurality of transparent lens protectors, by which said protectors are removed one at a time, as the outermost transparent protector becomes soiled, by a simple pinching motion being exerted on the surface of the outermost or exposed protector.

Accordingly, one aspect of this invention is the adaptation of this method of lens protection and vision restoration for use upon safety glasses, which as an added advantage possesses two dually adjustable temples; allowing for the wearer to adjust the angle of the main lens in relation to the temple as well as the temple length.

In accordance, the safety glasses will be receptive to a plurality of lens protectors by means of two extruding posts located at the opposite edges on the front of the main lens, with which the protectors will be securely held in place in front of and covering the main lens.

Another feature present in this invention is the specific design of the protectors, in that, in relation to the predetermined location of the posts, said protector design allows the protectors to be held securely in place; without further aid of any kind.

Accordingly, another feature of the present invention is that with the specific design of the protectors, which allows for the adaptation to the posts on the safety glasses, the problematic, inefficient task of having to feel for or grasp a tab or pulling device on the edge of the protector in order to remove one, is eliminated, since there will be no tabs or a pulling device present in this specific protector design.

Specifically featured in this invention is a unique “pinch-off” method of removal, wherein the entire surface of the outermost protector may be “pinched” or grasped in order to facilitate its removal; providing a most efficient means of doing so.

Alas, in accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the aforementioned specifically designed protectors, of which there will be no tabs or pulling device, dictate that their removal be accomplished by simply applying a pinching motion to the outermost protector itself. Not only eliminating the task of feeling for a tab, but since this described pinching motion is allowing for the edges of the protectors to slide off of their respective posts and subsequently removed, the resulting pressure be applied to the invention as a whole is inward, or toward ones face and therefore eliminates the need for the use of a head band or strap in order to keep the unit in place on user's head while attempting to restore vision.

Comprehensively, this invention features an improved adaptation of a multi-layered lens protection system to protective eyewear; featuring the use of safety glasses for this adaptation. And in doing so, have overcome previously discussed disadvantages associated with the removal of the outermost protector by eliminating the presence of any tab and thereby the inherent need for an accompanying headband or strap.

These and other advantages and features of the invention and the manner in which they are realized will become more apparent upon viewing and considering the following drawings and detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the protective eyewear being used in this invention.

FIG. 2A is a frontal view of the protective eyewear being used in the present invention.

FIG. 2B is the same frontal view of FIG. 2A showing location of drilled holes in the main lens, and therefore subsequent post location.

FIG. 3 is side view of asymmetrical post which will be partially embedded within the holes denoted in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 4A is a frontal view of a transparent lens protector, with outlining dimensions defining its shape; to be consistently that of the main lens.

FIG. 4B is a frontal view of the transparent lens protector, indicating the dimensional make up of this specific detail design; or notch.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the detail denoted in FIG. 4B, the area of the protector that serves to facilitate its functions, being dimensionally represented and further showing the specific design of the transparent lens protectors.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the process of attaching protector(s) to the main lens of safety glasses.

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of the process in which one is to remove the outermost protector in this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The novelty of this invention, entitled Spray-specs will now be further described by referring to FIGS. 1-7.

The safety glasses used for this invention consist of a one-piece, polycarbonate main lens and two dually adjustable-angle and length-temples that are attached at the peripheral extensions of the main lens; as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A.

Within the manufacturing process two holes will be drilled into the main lens at the approximate locations noted in FIG. 2B. Within each hole a small, rounded, plastic post, shown in FIG. 3, will be partially embedded. The upper end of post will be allowed to protrude from the main lens, and specifically act as the post that will be referred to herein. In all, providing a means of making the safety glasses readily receptive to multiple layers of lens protectors.

A plurality of die cut, polyester, transparent lens protectors, 0.003-0.005″ in thickness, and generally the shape of the front of the main lens, as shown in FIG. 4A, will be securely held in place atop/in front of the main lens by means of the protruding posts and the corresponding specific detail design of the notches located at the opposite edges of the lens protectors, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5, and installed in a manner shown in FIG. 6.

As the user becomes subject to constant fallout, bounce-back or general exposure to light weight paint particles, chemicals or debris, they will be provided the luxury of continuous eye protection by simply “pinching-off” the outermost protector, as shown in FIG. 7, as it becomes soiled or covered with paint or chemicals. This simple pinching motion, along with a detail design of the protectors allows the edges of the protectors to simply slide off of their post, thereby releasing or removing it and thusly restoring a clear view; by in turn, exposing another clean protector in place and ready to function in the same manner.

This method of pinch off removal is facilitated and dictated by the specific detail designs of the lens protector itself; shown in FIGS. 4B and 5.

While this invention has been described in reference to a preferred embodiment, it intends to cover any modification that may fall within the true scope or concept of the invention. 

1. An improved method of attachment and release for a plurality of transparent lens protectors, within a multi layered lens protection system, is being adapted to a pair of safety glasses, in which the attachment of this plurality of lens protectors to the main lens, at once, in order to continuously protect it, is accomplished by means of the two extruding posts located at opposite front edges of the main lens being receptive to the corresponding, specifically designed notches located on the opposite edges of lens protectors; holding the protectors securely yet functionally in place, uniformly in front of the main lens, and by which, the specific design of these protectors in relation to the location of the posts, facilitates a pinching or grasping motion being exerted on or to the top lens protector of the stack of protectors itself in order to periodically remove or release the outermost lens protector as it becomes soiled; providing a precise and efficient manner of quickly restoring one's vision and therefore continuous eye protection for those who are subjected to fallout, bounce back or general exposure to light weight particles while performing such tasks as spraying paint or chemicals, or under-going like scenarios within the trade industries.
 2. The specifically designed lens protectors of claim 1, wherein said design of these protectors will be tab-less, or construed in a manner in which the material that makes up the shape of the protectors does not extend beyond the actual outlining dimensions of the front of the main lens, but rather covers the front of the main lens solely, yet completely.
 3. The specific design of lens protectors and their relationship to the location of the posts mentioned in claim 1, wherein their union dictates an improved method of release; or a dislodging of the protectors individually from the posts, that allows for only the pinching or grasping of the entire protector, as the means for releasing the outermost protector while wearing the device, and encourages that an exertion of force be applied towards or parallel the users head when doing so.
 4. The safety glasses of claim of 1, wherein they shall posses two, like, dually adjustable temples, of which the length of the temple shall be a possible adjustment, as well as the temple's angle in relation to the main lens, being the other. 